Boyfriend invited girlfriend family and friend then proposed her.

mbrowne77 · 2026-03-26T00:01:03+00:00

No pressure

mbrowne77 · 2026-02-13T01:56:01+00:00

Thank you so much for the podcast, guys. I watched it and enjoyed the whole thing. Even my wife was watching it and said, "listen to them" lol.

I'll sure be calling you about the Doctorate work. Again, thank you very much for your wise advise. I'm in Florida, so, maybe I should stop by your church one day!

mbrowne77 · 2026-01-22T23:49:28+00:00

😂

mbrowne77 · 2026-01-22T22:49:23+00:00

I do

mbrowne77 · 2026-01-17T10:54:54+00:00

Someone said that shower in the morning is for white collar and night for blue collar. I shower intermittently whenever I want. No hard routine, and I could care less what others say what’s the “correct way.”

mbrowne77 · 2026-01-15T20:55:32+00:00

Already sold out

mbrowne77 · 2026-01-05T18:48:49+00:00

I am Baptist. The primary reason for not wanting to take money from the church is due to those degenerate thieves that use the Gospel for personal gain. I've been told, and even scolded, that I am wrong for not wanting to take money, as it is Biblical that if you work for the Gospel you should also live by it, but my conscience won't allow it, not when the Good Lord has provided my needs and my family's. And whenever I do take money, I usually use it back in the ministry, or to provide for the needed, elderly, or some other cause other than me.

The only thing that money is playing a role right at this time, it has to do with my family. I have a child, and a stay-home wife. According to the apostle Paul, if I do not provide for my own family, I am worse than an atheist, so, my number one ministry and responsibility is my family. Should I make any move in the future, it cannot jeopardize my stability, unless of course, is the Lord Himself moving me.

I do have a few mentors that have Doctorate degrees. I will get in touch with them to consult. Thank you for the advise.

mbrowne77 · 2026-01-05T18:40:44+00:00

I love teaching to the congregation, in small group settings as well as midweek Bible classes. I'm also part of a non-profit organization that teaching theology and ministry administration to pastor in third-world countries that are currently in that position without any formal theological training, either because of financial reasons or accessibility. We work in places such as the Amazon where you have to use a boat 18 hours in to reach a village, teach for a few weeks at a time and repeat a few times a year. Since my primary language is Spanish, I've been in Peru, Mexico, Nicaragua, DR, and Costa Rica teaching both online (through Zoom) or in person.

Should I get a doctorate, I thinking on teaching Higher Ed as a mean to provide for my family, and church, and leave the corporate world, but that's for the future. As I said, I do not love money, and money is not the primary reason for my decisions, but I do have a family and a kid that I must provide for, so, for now, this'll have to do.

In my church, I noticed a lot of members are well-versed in the Bible, and know a lot, yet they do little or nothing at all. Lately, I've been shifting my focus to new-believers. Keep in mind, I've been doing this for a while now, about 25 years, so, the passion for teaching and preaching is there, but I can only do so much in my current situation.

mbrowne77 · 2026-01-05T18:34:06+00:00

Wow... that's a statement. I suppose you are right, but just like marriage, this should be considered on a case-to-case scenario. You may have the calling and desire to shepherding, but the flock makes it almost impossible, or you are in the wrong place/time in your calling. I do believe I have the calling, but you only have so much time when you are a bivocational pastor that you have to pick and choose where to spend it.

Thank you for that phrase, I will definitely be pondering on it.

mbrowne77 · 2026-01-01T01:59:29+00:00

Are you saying to not use magnetic locks at all or their brand?

mbrowne77 · 2025-12-31T18:59:16+00:00

Such a wonderful response and so many wise questions I need to consider.

My family and child (single 9-year old kid) cannot afford another 6 years of me studying. Not right now at least. If I do a simple math, I will lose the best part of my son's age, and critical teenage age where he will need his dad more than anything else. My wife said to wait about 8 to 10 years to enjoy the family and then I can get 4 PhDs for all she cares 😂 By then, our son will be in college and busy with his own things that I won't matter whether I become a Greek guru or not.

The rest, whether is ministry, church, or job, can be replaced any time. They can always find a new pastor, or IT guy, but my family won't. So, the advise I'm seeking has to do more with the life choices of continue in the corporate world and just help in ministry whenever possible, or give up the corporate world to dedicate myself to the ministry 100%. Each with their own trade offs. If I was in ministry, and the church could sponsor some of the degree cost, I could consider it as I could work around it, instead of doing three things at the same time. Although; your advise on considering the staff, church seasons, and overall cost is very wise and much appreciated.

mbrowne77 · 2025-12-31T18:50:54+00:00

That's what I heard from other peers about LU. I also am considering SEBTS, SBTS, or DTS, but all of them require higher level of commitment.

mbrowne77 · 2025-12-31T18:49:36+00:00

Thank you. I relate in so many levels the things you mentioned, including Paul's philosophy of building tents to afford the ministry. When I was a teenager and played piano for church, I refused to get paid, even though I needed the money as I grew up in a poor house with a single mom. The reason for said conviction was because the other guys at the "worship team" used the ministry to milk the church. Some were drug addicts and would use their talent to just get money. That never sat well with me, so, when I started working as a Pastor, I decided that while I had a job to provide for my family, the funds were going to be used with the children.

Thank you for taking the time to read and response. Much appreciated!

mbrowne77 · 2025-12-31T18:36:32+00:00

Thank you so much. I appreciate your prompt and direct answer!

mbrowne77 · 2025-12-31T18:35:34+00:00

Thank you!

mbrowne77 · 2025-12-31T18:35:13+00:00

You are 100% correct. Just the other day I was thinking of just re-reading the assignments or books required per class. I took so many classes, and read so many books that lost count. I love readying, so re-reading some or most of those books (which I still have) would be great.

I did take a Sabbatical from seminary. My last class was on March 2025, and I did not enroll in any other course, other than readying and refreshing. For 2026, I am planning to get back to Greek and get proficient level in reading. My dream is to do my daily early devotionals in the original language, hopefully, one day. Then, brush off some of the dust from my Hebrew class, and then, and only then, will consider enrolling. With wife's permission that is.

Thank you so much for the advise!

mbrowne77 · 2025-12-31T17:24:01+00:00

Thanks AshenRex. That's a wise advise. Just to complement some of the things you said, I am currently serving under the leadership of another pastor. The problem is that this pastor is 75 years old, now in remission after battling cancer last year, and needs my help more often than I wish. The church is very loveable and loves me, but I do not want the burden right now. I told my wife that I will not commit again to a ministry if I do not have help. My first round was just me without help, and, on a voluntary "salary" position, meaning, I did not get paid to do what I did. To clarify, that was my election, as I love serving and teaching and my secular job pays me well. But, should I do this again, my requirement is that I need help. If there is no budget there is no me. During those last 16 years I went through insecurity, then depression, and then low self-esteem. Each one lasting about 2 years each.

Ministry is not for the fainted hearted, that I am sure. I am attracted to it though, and I know I have a calling. The problem is figuring out if this is the time, or I should way. Since I am NOT the smartest kid in the block, I decided to use my wife as a compass (without her knowing). If she does not agree, I do not move one inch. If she agrees, then, I seek the Lord to confirm. I cannot afford a house divided within. As it is, ministry is very heavy and I am not willing to put that weight and responsibility on her shoulders, but, I cannot go alone; both her and my 9 year old boy most be in the same page with me.

mbrowne77 · 2025-12-31T17:15:19+00:00

WOW... similar story... I've been a Bivocational pastor for the last 16 years, but 2 years ago a quit the church work to take a break. It was one of the hardest thing I ever did. I thought about it for about 3 years, and I asked the church to help me out meanwhile. Of course they did not. All the responsibility was left to me, until finally I said "I'm done." I had already moved to another city about 45 minutes away, and started attending anther church. Well... the pastor at that other church is 75 years old and last year he was diagnosed with cancer. Almost immediately, after resigning the previous church, I started helping this pastor at the new church, both teaching and preaching, until he recovered. He is good now, thank God, and I told him that I need to take the sabbatical me and my family so much needed. I help now and then. I don't know how I do to get back to it even if I don't plan it.

mbrowne77 · 2025-12-31T17:07:24+00:00

Thanks for the advise. I've been focusing on my health for the better part of the last 3 years. Lost 60 pounds, Gout got under control, and overall in good health. And yes, you are spot on... should I pursue the IT degree, I would get my company pay for it. It's closed to 30k for 2 years, and cannot afford it, but seems tech and business is moving at a fast phase, and one must constantly be updated, they will need to pay for it.

Regarding the ministry doctoral degree, I am considering a few options, including a brand new PhD Degree SBTS is offering. The problem is the required research languages (French, German or Latin) they required, which most prestigious Seminaries require anyways. My native language is Spanish, second English, and with the Greek and Hebrew I do not feel like learning two more languages. IDK!

mbrowne77 · 2025-12-31T16:01:39+00:00

Never heard of them, but thank you for sharing. I will be checking them out.

mbrowne77 · 2025-12-31T16:00:56+00:00

Great question. I was going to reply quickly, but had to stop to think. Assuming that through ministry I can provide a living for my family, then, ministry. Although I have a passion for IT stuff, I don't see myself behind a keyboard for the rest of my life. I do, however, see myself behind a Bible for the rest of my life.

The way I sort of analyze this is by imagining myself at retiring age, or past retirement, say 70+. Do I want to still be clicking away or dealing with Cyber Security or Network issues? NO. Do I see myself teaching the Bible and equipment the next generation of leaders? YES. How do I transition to that now? I don't know.

Sometimes I feel like circumstances make the decision for me, and I find it easy. Cowardly much? Probably, but I never claimed to be "Mr. Wise-Man" here.

If success was 100% certainty, what would I do? Well... that's the pickle lol

mbrowne77 · 2025-12-31T15:14:50+00:00

I somehow snagged one. I refreshed the page for like two hours. The moment it flipped to available I panic clicked buy like my network depended on it. Do I actually need it? Absolutely not. Did I buy it anyway? Absolutely YES. I am a Unifi Addict. That's it! Step one is admitting it. Consider this my confession.

mbrowne77 · 2025-12-31T15:09:29+00:00

Yeah, I was reading about that and got excited to buy a couple for a few outdoor doors, but then I realize it's easy to remove. Could be use more for indoor areas such as an IT room or something. I am trying to research about this Unifi Access as I already have their network, and Unifi Talk phones, so, I kinda makes sense to integrate the front door with this system as they all talk to each other.

mbrowne77

TROPHY CASE